The glorious 70 foot high horse chestnut tree has stood sentinel to Langrish House for over 150 years. We have wonderful photographs of numerous generations playing beneath it, and of our granddaughter hunting for Easter Eggs amongst its roots. Birds have nested in it, owls have lived in it and squirrels have played in it. It has provided shade for those who wanted it and quantities of conkers to delight generations of small children. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and as Horse Chestnuts are notorious ‘self pruners’, the time has come to say goodbye. It has been deeply upsetting - almost like losing one of the family. Nigel and I have shut ourselves indoors today and turned on the radio to drown the sound of the saws as much as possible.